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Feeding regime is an important concern for sea urchin aquaculture. However, optimal feed regimes have not been established for land-based sea urchin ventures using a formulated feed. In this study, we investigated the effects of short-term continuous and intermittent feeding regimes on food consumption, growth, gonad production and quality of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius (54.90 ± 2.28 mm of test diameter) fed a formulated feed. The results showed that (1) compared with initial conditions, all involved traits except a* (test diameter, test height, body weight, gonad weight, gonad index, gonad moisture, L* and b*) showed significant increase at the end of the experiments; (2) only the longest term feed regime tested in this trial (S2) significantly negatively affected growth and gonad production of S. intermedius fed a formulated feed; (3) there was a trend but this was not significant for inhibiting gonad development of S. intermedius in intermittent feeding regimes and there was no change in the gonad colour and sweetness; (4) S0.5 (fasting half day and then feeding half day) is the optimal intermittent feeding regime for S. intermedius fed a formulated feed. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report of finding an effective intermittent feeding regime for land-based cultured sea urchins of relatively large size, and thus has direct application potential in the field of aquaculture.

Water temperature is one of the most important factors greatly affecting the aquaculture of sea urchins. However, no information is available on how to improve commercial traits of sea urchins reared at high water temperature. Here, we investigated the effects of water temperature and feeding regime on food consumption, growth, gonad production, gametogenesis and gonad quality of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius. We found that high water temperature (22°C) significantly decreased dried food consumption and gonad production of S. intermedius, but not the somatic growth. The feeding regime of formulated feed and kelp has direct application potential in S. intermedius aquaculture, especially at field temperature. Feeding kelp alone is not effective in supporting growth and gonad production for S. intermedius cultured at high water temperature. This finding greatly challenges the current commonly used feeding regime (feeding macroalgae only) for S. intermedius cultured at high water temperature. Based on the current results, we suggest the feeding regimes of formulated feed and kelp or formulated feed alone for S. intermedius aquaculture at high water temperature. The present study provides new information for aquaculture of S. intermedius at high temperature and for production out of season.

The increasing market demand for Glyptocidaris crenularis shapes its great potential for aquaculture. Temperature is an important factor affecting gonad production and quality of sea urchins. Therefore, it is essential and valuable to carry out an evaluation of the temperature effects on gonad production and quality in G. crenularis before potential aquaculture. Here, we investigated the long-term effects of temperature on gonad production, colour and flavour in G. crenularis. There was no significant difference of test diameter, height and body weight between the sea urchins in high (16–23°C) and low (12–16°C) temperatures (P > 0.05). Glyptocidaris crenularis showed significantly higher gonad production and index in high temperature and in low temperature (P < 0.05). L*, a*, b* readings were slightly higher in the low temperature groups, although no significant difference was found (P > 0.05). Subjective colour and flavour ratings found that G. crenularis in the low temperature group showed significantly better colour (P = 0.003) and flavour (P < 0.001) than those in the high temperature group. The present study provides valuable and insightful information into the establishing G. crenularis aquaculture.

In the field, both covering materials and shelters are commonly available to sea urchins. The behavioural decision between covering and sheltering thus obviously exists. However, no information is available on the preference between the two natural behaviours. Two conditions were designed with covering and sheltering materials to comparatively describe the diel trade-off between covering and sheltering behaviours in male and female Strongylocentrotus intermedius. In the present study S. intermedius had an obvious diel trade-off between covering and sheltering behaviours, preferring covering over sheltering when both behaviours were possible. Sex did not significantly affect the trade-off between the two behaviours, no matter whether covering materials were inside or outside the shelters. The rhythm of covering behaviour was not well correlated with intensity of light in the trade-off with sheltering behaviour. The present study provides new insights into behavioural ecology of sea urchins.

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